Chequered Skipper Sites in Scotland requiring surveying in 2009

The Chequered Skipper is a high priority species. It is a UKBAP Priority Species and is included on the Scottish Biodiversity List.

The Chequered Skipper is associated with birch and oak woodland as it requires a warmer micro-climate provided by the shelter of trees. This association with woodland makes it vulnerable to habitat degradation from woodland regeneration. Previous research into Chequered Skipper ecology has identified that this butterfly depends on a mosaic of clearings and wood edges and that suitable areas are created by occasional clearance of mature woodland and scrub. While Purple Moor Grass for the caterpillars is quite widespread in such habitat, it is the nectaring sites for the adults which may be a limiting factor as woodland regeneration results in open glades with the preferred nectaring plants, Meadow Thistle and Bugle, becoming too shady. At some sites, grazing by roe deer or low intensity sheep grazing may be sufficient to keep scrub regeneration in check, but where birch/oak woodland is well established and where deer numbers are low or where deer are excluded by fences, rotational scrub clearance is required to maintain open glades of sufficient size.

Wayleaves under power lines and woodland rides also provide good habitat where they cross suitable ground with abundant nectaring plants but these also require regular scrub clearance to maintain an optimum width of 20-25 m and scrub height no higher than 2 m.

These requirements make Chequered Skipper colonies vulnerable to deterioration from woodland regeneration and therfore surveys are required in 2009 to identify any colonies which are currently threatened by woodland regeneration and may require scrub clearance. While Chequered Skipper numbers at three nature reserves where this species is regularly monitored are stable (Glasdrum (SNH); Allt Mhuic(Butterfly Conservation) & Doire Donne (SWT)), these sites are managed to maintain woodland glades. There are concerns that at some other sites outside Nature Reserves, the Chequered Skipper may be in decline from woodland regeneration.

To find more information on Chequered Skipper sites in the Glasgow & SW Scotland and Highland branch areas which require surveys in 2009, please click on the relevant branch area in the map below:

Highland Scotland Branch Fort William population Spean Bridge population Loch Eil population Loch Shiel population Loch Sunart population Moidart population Eastern Scotland Branch No colonies Glasgow & SW Scotland Branch Loch Etive population Glen Creran population

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